The Rise Of The Libertarian Satanist?
"One’s body is inviolable, subject to one’s own will alone." - The Satanic Temple, third fundamental tenet.
The Libertarian Party's official Facebook page posted a meme with this quote. Something no libertarian opposes. Self-governance, the non-aggression principle, and voluntary association are fundamental to the libertarian philosophy.
However, the issue isn't with the quote itself. But the author of the quote. The Satanic Temple (not to be confused with either theist Satanism or the Laveyan variety) has a word that results in knee-jerk reactions - especially from Christians.
Despite the fact TST boldly and loudly oppose devil-worshiping and authoritarianism, Christians get up in arms at the very thought of Satanism. Similar to "Hitler turrets," but with Satanists.
Psychologically it's their inner elephant (the thing inside us all that mindlessly guides our intuitions, as opposed to the inner rider in us all that wishes to guide the elephant with reason) leaning towards disgust and anger.
Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and Taoists might take offense, but agnostics, atheists, and other humanists, such as Satanists, won't lose any sleep. It should be noted some libertarian theists don't care either. (For example, the LP has quoted the Christian Bible)
The controversy seems to be from theocons (good riddance) and those lambasting the move based on the marketing argument. Speaking of marketing, TST has actually done a lot in the way of charity, defending rights, and preaching the humanist values that others religions do, instead of worshiping Satan.
Possibly this move would have been best served if sharing like-minded quotes of other religions this week. Otherwise, it's a post that might shake off the theocons and Johnson moderates that are trying to co-opt the LP.
The Seven Tenets of the Satanic Temple are:
- One should strive to act with compassion and empathy towards all creatures in accordance with reason.
- The struggle for justice is an ongoing and necessary pursuit that should prevail over laws and institutions.
- One’s body is inviolable, subject to one’s own will alone.
- The freedoms of others should be respected, including the freedom to offend. To willfully and unjustly encroach upon the freedoms of another is to forgo your own.
- Beliefs should conform to our best scientific understanding of the world. We should take care never to distort scientific facts to fit our beliefs.
- People are fallible. If we make a mistake, we should do our best to rectify it and resolve any harm that may have been caused.
- Every tenet is a guiding principle designed to inspire nobility in action and thought. The spirit of compassion, wisdom, and justice should always prevail over the written or spoken word
Now that is pretty libertarian, even voluntaryist. You do NOT have to be Satanist to be libertarian/voluntaryist or to agree with the TST tenets. (Side note: I'm not a Satanist, for example).
Check out the Satanic Temple's FAQ for more information on their mission and tenents: https://thesatanictemple.com/faq/
Lovely article. I don't see much difference between Temple Satanists and libertarians, as you say. Kind of boring.
I think we should go a step further and instead of restricting ourselves to these altruistic goals. They have no basis in reality.
The Satanic Temple uses the platform of religion to promote their political activism. They are a sham group, they only exist to aggravate the religious establishment, not add anything to Satanism, which by the way, has already been codified by the Church of Satan in 1966.